Monday 17 May 2021 marks the further easing of COVID-19 restrictions in England, Wales and parts of Scotland. Millions can now socialise indoors in small groups, hug loved ones and visit pubs and restaurants again. The ban on foreign travel has also been lifted with many venturing abroad for the sunshine.
COVID-19 Update | Rosenblatt’s Financial Crime Team
Up to 30 people will now be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes as well as funerals. Other indoor locations which are now open include indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas and children’s play areas; the rest of the accommodation sector, including hotels, hostels and B&Bs; and indoor adult group sports and exercise classes. The government will also allow some larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with a capacity of 1,000 people or half-full (whichever is lower), and in outdoor venues with a capacity of 4,000 people or half-full (whichever is lower). In the largest outdoor seated venues, where crowds can be spaced out, up to 10,000 people will be able to attend (or a quarter-full, whichever is lower).
Earlier this month the government also announced its new policy on international travel which comes into effect from 17 May. The ‘Stay in the UK’ regulation will cease and international travel will recommence governed by a new traffic light system. Countries will be allocated to either a green, orange or red list which will determine the rules on quarantine and testing for travellers returning to England. Countries on the green list pose the lowest risk, therefore passengers who have only visited or transited through a green list country will not be required to quarantine on arrival in England. They will be required to fill in the passenger locator form, provide a valid notification of a negative test result prior to travel and take a COVID-19 test on day 2 after arrival.
The Maldives, Nepal and Turkey were added to the red list from 4am on 12 May. International visitors who have visited or transited through a red list country will be refused entry into England. Only British, Irish or those with residence rights in the UK, will be allowed to enter and they must stay in a government approved quarantine facility for 10 days. All other countries will remain on the amber list. These passengers will be required to complete a passenger locator form on arrival to England, provide confirmation of a negative test prior to travel and quarantine at home for 10 days. They will also be required to take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and 8 of their quarantine period.
The 17 May easing of restrictions is the penultimate stage of the prime minister’s roadmap out of lockdown before all restrictions are due to be removed on 21 June. A week ago Boris Johnson had remained confident and expected to scrap the one-metre-plus rule on 21 June promising further details by the end of May. However, following the rise in cases of the Indian variant he appears to have wriggled out of his commitment to divulge further information by the end of the month.
The prime minister also accepted ahead of 17 May that “we have reached another milestone in our road map out of lockdown, but we must take this next step with a heavy dose of caution.” At present the roadmap remains unchanged despite many fearing the rise in cases from the Indian variant which is spreading through the UK requiring mass testing in Bolton, Greater Manchester and parts of London. The number of cases of the Indian variant has leapt by 1,000 in just four days. Boris Johnson confirmed that the government was keeping the Indian variant “under close observation” and “taking swift action where infection rates are rising”.
Scientists believe that this new variant is more transmissible but the early data suggests that the vaccine is effective. Despite this the British Medical Association, which represents doctors has said that it is a “real worry” that the easing of restrictions was still going ahead on 17 May while the Indian variant was spreading with many younger people not yet vaccinated. Sadiq Khan has called for young adults in five boroughs of London where there are cases of the Indian variant to be vaccinated earlier than planned.
Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary confirmed on Sunday 16 May that the use of local lockdowns to tackle the spread of the Indian variant cannot be ruled out and the government will need to do what is “necessary to protect people.” Many believe this new variant will derail the final step of the roadmap scheduled for 21 June.
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